Esparanza: A Daily Outsider Public Service Initiative

  Our team is privileged to present A stoic sense of hope as we hope we can continue to live up to expectations--and as we look forward to the continued privilege to serve:   We can say unequivocally that Marcus Aurelius was a collector of stories regarding people’s goodness. He took the time to write these things down so he would remember them and be inspired by them, so he could model his life after them. These stories made him better, reminded him of what his most important job in life was—to be a good person and work for the common good.  He was “choosing his Cato’s,”  as Seneca advised, finding the models to measure himself against. Read:  Let These Make You Better ​ YOUTUBE TAKEAWAY OF THE WEEK: ​ In a recent video on  the Daily Stoic YouTube Channel , Ryan Holiday shares valuable Stoic truths from acclaimed guests of The Daily Stoic Podcast, such as Matthew McConaughey, Alexander Ludvig, and Tim Ferriss: “We have to be less impressed and more involve...

 

  The World Bank's new Knowledge Compact builds on our expertise gained over decades of development work to transform our approach to knowledge. FIND OUT MORE Week’s Highlights Digital Opportunities in African Businesses A new IFC report explores how African firms can better leverage digital technologies to help their businesses become more productive and profitable. SEE REPORT New Data on 2023 Private Sector Infrastructure Investment World Bank data show that the private sector pumped $86 billion into infrastructure in low- and middle-income countries last year. READ MORE Event: Achieving Net Zero Emissions in the Agrifood System Join us May 22 for this event, which will explore findings from the recent Recipe for a Livable Planet report and the most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the agrifood sector. SIGN UP NOW In Focus IDA's Role in an Increasingly Complex Global Aid Architecture The World Bank's IDA is the partner of choice to tackle chal...

  It Couldn't Be Done Somebody said that it couldn't be done, But, he with a chuckle replied That "maybe it couldn't," but he would be one Who wouldn't say so till he'd tried. So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin On his face. If he worried he hid it. He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn't be done, and he did it. Somebody scoffed: "Oh, you'll never do that; At least no one has done it"; But he took off his coat and he took off his hat, And the first thing we knew he'd begun it. With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin, Without any doubting or quiddit, He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn't be done, and he did it. There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done, There are thousands to prophesy failure; There are thousands to point out to you one by one, The dangers that wait to assail you. But just buckle it in with a bit of a grin, Just take off your coat and go to it; Just start ...

  A protester wearing a watermelon yarmulke and a keffiyeh makes a peace sign at a protest in Berlin, Germany. Getty Images “We don’t need purveyors of hate, we don’t need provocateurs – we need peacemakers,” Sholto Byrnes wrote this week. Reacting to the contentious acts of some people over the Israel-Gaza war, his powerful column reflects on the need for multifaceted thinking instead of the dichotomous rhetoric we are seeing play out the world over. He highlights two particular peacemakers who are “putting themselves in the shoes of the other”. Palestinian Ali Abu Awwad and Israeli Ami Dar are self-described solution-makers and “Siamese twins” who believe “a shared commitment to dignity and justice is possible”. The pair came together for a TED talk earlier this year and echoed and supported one another question by question, especially in their calls for non-violent activism. The panel session is packed with many, many stand-out statements, rallying sentiments and to quote the ho...